February

If I were a teacher, I’d ask to see your homework, however, I trust you came up with the areas to which you’d like to address; along with dividing your home into Zones. To reiterate, here are my Zones:

A = Bedrooms
B = Bathrooms
C = Kitchen
D = Family Room/Laundry Room
E = Formal Living Areas/Office
F = Basement/Garage

This process divides the larger projects and purchases throughout the month, so that the workload and costs can be tolerated during a 4.5-week period, instead of full-steam once a year or when it becomes overwhelming (or when you are out of toilet paper!)

Although you will “clean” your house weekly (and keep at it) the Zones are areas that you will focus on during the month. For example, if you clean the house on Mondays, the first week of the month you will also concentrate on Zone “A” Bedroom (during that week). During the second week of the month, you will concentrate on Zone “B” (Bathrooms). Yes, you can see that there may be more Zones than weeks. After you get familiar with the process and your home is in Maintenance Mode (instead of Attack mode) you will be able to combine Zones, as the process becomes routine.

This month we will come up with a daily and weekly plan so that you can get started. There are a few ways people “clean” their homes. I have friends that do a little bit of cleaning every day (their schedule allows that process); others devote one day to cleaning, knowing that the rest of the week will be free. Please employ the process that you will be able to follow or that feels convenient and comfortable to you. At a minimum, these guidelines will serve as a gentle reminder, and a great guideline for you to keep on track.

Basic Weekly Maintenance:
At least weekly – this can be done all in one day, if you have the luxury of a weekday off without family members underfoot; or in small “bites” during the week – you will perform the following tasks. Once you get the hang of it, and can schedule these tasks into your routine, you will find that you no longer do HUGE Spring Cleaning, or have mounds of cleaning to accomplish. These will become automatic and will be done quickly and routinely.

Bedrooms:

Make beds EVERY MORNING!
Wash pillowcases weekly (suggestion: buy white and bleach them)
Wash other bed linens every other week
Wipe/polish furniture weekly
Vacuum weekly
ESTIMATED TIME: ___ DAILY
ESTIMATED TIME:___ WEEKLY

DURING “A” WEEK (first week of the month)
Restock any linens or bedroom necessities
Clean ceiling fan
Clean windows/screens
Organize drawers
Organize closets
Assess wardrobe for replacements
Bring items to drycleaner/tailor/cobbler (if necessary)
Donate items that you no longer wear
Any large project for this Zone

Bathrooms:

Wipe down shower daily after shower
Wipe out sink every day (after brushing)
Polish mirrors/counters weekly
Clean toilet once a week (with bowl brush; wipe down bowl)
Wash bathroom floor weekly
ESTIMATED TIME: ___ DAILY
ESTIMATED TIME: ___ WEEKLY

DURING “B” WEEK (second week of the month)
Restock any bathroom items/cosmetics
Deep clean shower stall and/or tub (with cleaning product)
Deep clean toilet bowl
Wash brushes (with shampoo)
Clean out makeup drawer – wash cosmetic brushes
Replace toothbrushes (or clean with ultrasonic cleaner)
Any large project for this Zone

Kitchen:

Clean kitchen after every meal (counters, sink, table)
Wash pots and pans that are used daily
House any appliances after they are finished being used
Run dishwasher in the evening (after the last meal)
Empty dishwasher at a time most convenient (either first thing in the
morning, or just before bed, if finished)
Vacuum, then wash kitchen floor weekly (more often, if needed)
Ready coffee for the morning each evening
Select menu for tomorrow’s dinner (check for stock)
Prepare any lunches/sign any notes for school
ESTIMATED TIME: __ DAILY
ESTIMATED TIME:__ WEEKLY

DURING “C” WEEK (third week of the month)
Restock any non-perishable kitchen stock
Perishables will be restocked EVERY week
Wipe down appliances
Dishwasher – run cleaning cycle
Oven – clean, or run automatic cleaning cycle, if necessary
Coffeemaker – run cleaning solution or vinegar & water
Cabinets – wipe with furniture oil
Organize cabinets
Organize drawers
Donate unused or duplicate items
Any large project for this Zone

Family Room:
Pick up toys/books/ daily
Wipe down woodwork weekly
Wipe down electronics weekly
Vacuum weekly
ESTIMATED TIME: ___ Daily
ESTIMATED TIME: ___ Weekly

DURING “D” WEEK (fourth week of the month)
Purchase any books, board games, snacks, decorative items
Clean blankets
Clean pillows
Cull magazines (donate to Epilepsy Foundation)
Vacuum couches/loveseats
Clean fireplace (ashes) during wintertime
Clean Windows/Screens (inside and outside)
Any large project for this Zone

Laundry Room:
Schedule of laundry – either daily or weekly
Sort laundry as it is brought in (Suggestion: a three bin sorter: whites; lights; and darks) will make the sorting process simple. Teach your family how to place items in the appropriate bin.
Iron clothes weekly
Wipe down appliances weekly
Wipe down laundry tub/sink weekly
Wash floor weekly
ESTIMATED TIME: ___ Daily
ESTIMATED TIME: ___ Weekly

DURING “D” WEEK (fourth week of the month)
Restock any laundry detergent, stain fighter, softener, bleach
Restock any cleaning supplies (household)
Clean Windows/screens
Washing machine – run a tub clean process (or use product)
Dryer – thoroughly clean dryer vent lint trap AND outside vent
Any large project for this Zone

Formal Areas (Dining Room, Sitting Room, Living Room)
Polish any furniture weekly
Vacuum weekly
ESTIMATED TIME: ___ Daily
ESTIMATED TIME:___ Weekly

DURING “E” WEEK (week 4.5 of the month)
Clean Windows/screens
Clean ceiling fans
Any large project for this Zone

Office:

Go through mail daily – toss any ads, junk mail*, etc.
File/pay/sort mail to be acted upon daily
Read and/or toss newspaper daily
Scan email daily – tossing any ads* – answer any important
*Consider unsubscribing to unwanted junk mail and junk ads
ESTIMATED TIME: ___ Daily
ESTIMATED TIME:___ Weekly

DURING “E” WEEK (week 4.5 of the month)
Clean windows/screens
Clean ceiling fan
Polish any woodwork
Update computer software
Restock any office supplies (ink, paper, etc.)
Any large project for this Zone